3/1 To Win
Andre Wisdom is convinced that Derby County will benefit from a ‘back to basics’ defensive approach in the coming weeks.
Derby have kept 17 clean sheets in the Sky Bet Championship this season and their defensive record has been a key foundation behind their promotion challenge.
Gary Rowett’s side kept their first clean sheet in seven games in the goalless draw at Nottingham Forest in their final game before the international break.
The solid defensive display at the City Ground saw the Reds fail to register on target over the course of the 90 minutes.
Wisdom, 24, believes that showing was an indication that Derby are on the right track to cutting out conceding uncharacteristically cheap goals.
They will, however, have to wait until 30th March to return to action following the two-week international break and the postponement of last Sunday’s clash against Cardiff City.
Wisdom told RamsTV: “We were back to what we’ve been good at for most of the season at Forest.
“We don’t want to give goals away cheaply; whether that’s in training or in matches. Sometimes there’s nothing you can do about a wonder strike and you have to hold your hands up when that happens.
“The manager has spoken to us about going back to basics. That means as defenders we do our jobs by, first and foremost, defending. We saw that for the vast majority of the Queens Park Rangers game (1-1 draw) and then obviously at Forest where we kept a clean sheet.”
He added: “I think it’s good from a defensive point of view and I hope we can keep it going. We know what we are capable of and everyone has been on it in training recently.
“We’re still in a good position and have the chance to make it a really good season.”
Wisdom, who joined Derby on a permanent basis from Liverpool last summer, has made it clear that a positive mindset is required in the promotion race.
The Rams sit fifth in the table, one point clear of seventh spot and with a superior goal difference, with nine matches left to play.
The defender is an upbeat frame of mind as Derby look to return to winning ways when they eventually return to competitive action.
He said: “I think it’s important we go out with a positive mindset and make sure we do everything in our power to get back to winning again. We haven’t been at our best lately, obviously, but we’ve not been losing games too often.
“We’re probably not getting the breaks that we were a couple of months ago. It’s unfortunate timing but it probably does even itself out over the course of the season. We know the importance of sticking together as a group and giving our all.”
